New York
I had a few interviews scheduled in New York. So I wanted to visit Ground Zero while I was there as well as the Islamic Cultural Center, also known as “Ground Zero Mosque” to some who don’t know the exact location or the definition of the word Mosque. But this isn’t about the Cultural Center, I want to take a moment to talk about New York.
Everywhere we went and everyone we saw, had a gentleness to them. On every subway we took there were people who would stand so that others, elders or children or pregnant women, could sit. People offered their sits, their comfort so that others may be comfortable. And we did the same, though the day was long and we were tired, we knew that it was the right thing to do to let the mother with four kids sit in our place. That is one thing that brought me to love New York, another was how every single person we asked for directions would go out of their way to make sure we knew where we were going. If they didn’t understand how to direct us there, they’d ask someone else. Then, while paying for parking and looking super confused a lady tapped us on the shoulder and said “After you pay, put the ticket in your dashboard.” And she walked away.
Acts of kindness and acts of humility are carried out by all people. They are not limited to one race, one people who follow one Religion or any other category. Rather they are carried out by everyone alike. Whether you are a Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist…it is irrelevant. Show me one bad person from any category and I will show you a good person from that same category. There are bad and good from all faiths and walks of life.
All of that aside, I saw in the people of New York a rare beauty. I see beauty in all people but it was different. And though some people near Ground Zero acted differently towards us, I didn’t hate them. I wasn’t even angry. I understood. Something awful happened and they had anger deep inside and others channeled their anger towards people like me. Towards Muslims and Arabs. It wasn’t that they really hated me, they didn’t understand me enough to hate me. If they had met me, had a cup of tea or coffee with me or just a casual conversation then maybe they wouldn’t feel the way they do now about me.
As I walked the streets where I knew my people had been killed, it broke my heart. I never understood how one could harm an innocent person. I go out of my way each day to see that others are happy. If I see somebody at the grocery store who needs help, I help them. If I see a child crying, I tend to them. I would never so much as harm a hair on anybody’s head, it is not in my nature nor in the teachings that I follow. The Prophet Muhammad was known for his patience. His kindness, his loving nature and gentleness. If he was known for violence or spreading terror, I promise you I wouldn’t be following Islam.
We must remember not to judge an entire population based on the actions of few. And this works both ways. It is just as wrong when Pastor Terry Jones wanted to burn the Quran and some people around the world ignorantly burned American flags and shouted “death to America” not knowing that the majority of Americans are respectful of the Quran. Not knowing that Pastor Terry Jones, who has never actually read the Quran, was only one man with very few people following him.
The attacks on the September 11th couldn’t possibly reflect Islam in the slightest for various reasons. Those who claim that it was a “Holy war” are wrong. The reason being that the Prophet Muhammad had restrictions for the times of war such as…
“Do no betray or misappropriate any part of the booty; do not practice treachery or mutilation. Do not kill a young child, an old man, or a woman. Do not uproot or burn palms or cut down fruitful trees. Do not slaughter a sheep or a cow or a camel, except for food. You will meet people who have set themselves apart in hermitages; leave them to accomplish the purpose for which they have done this. You will come upon people who will bring you dishes with various kinds of foods. If you partake of them, pronounce God’s name over what you eat.”
And also the fact that you only fight in defense. As for how the Prophet viewed those who practice other faiths, here is part of a promise he made…
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by God! I hold out against anything that displeases them…”
I will post this in it’s entirety later but my point is that what happened on September 11th in no way, shape or form reflects the teachings of Islam. As for the very few people who are violent and are Muslim, I quote Anthony de Mello,
“They follow, not their common sense, but what they think their Scriptures say.”
This is one reason I am offering to send copies of the translation of the Quran to anyone who wants one. That way, if you see acts of violence on TV being committed in the name of Islam you can say “I have read the Quran and THAT is not Islam.”
I thank you all for joining me on this Journey and I appreciate all of the love, support and kindness from everyone. My flight for Texas is in less than twenty-four hours so I shall begin getting ready. I don’t really know what to expect there but I am as ready as I’ll ever be. Wish me luck and take care.
Salaam
